Indexing chuck



May 13, 1952 F. HUNzlKER 2,596,484

INDEXING CHUCK Filed Aug. 1s. 1949 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 A TTOPNE YS May 13,1952 F. HUNZIKER 2,596,484

INDEXING CHUCK Filed Aug. 1e. 194e 2 SHEETS--Sl-{EET 2 46 43 6/ 5/ 47 4462 j 67 3 42 66 o `5o 4/ 68 i?" 64 5,2 4o /0 73 49 4@ 54 INVENTOR. FEED'HU/VZ//VE dwm Patented May 13, 1952 UNITED STATES FFHCE INDEXING CHUCK yFred Hunziker, University Heights, Ohio, assigner to The W eatherheadCompany, Clevelandhio,

acorporation of Ohio l Claims. 1

This invention relates to chucks, and more paiticularly to chuckswherein the work piece may be rotated or indexed without stopping therotation of the chuck body.

The principal object of the invention resides in providing an indexingchuck wherein the parts are of rugged construction and may still be ttedto a chuck of relatively small diameter. Chucks of the type to whichthis invention relate are commonly employed in mass production operantions, and accordingly must be simple and sturdy. In the larger sizechucks (such as those wherein the body is in the neighborhood of eightinches in diameter or greater) adequate space is available for theprovision of rugged indexing and actuating mechanism; but, in thesmaller chucks (such as in the sevenV inch diameter chucks or smaller)diniculty has arisen in the provision oi a heavy duty construction forthe jaw opening and closing mechanism for the indexing mechanism and itsactuating means.`

I have'found that by mounting an actuating cylinder adjacent theperiphery of the chuck and by forming the indexing mechanism so that itcan be actuated from a point adjacent the chuck periphery, adequatespace for all the mechanical elements on the chuck is provided eventhough the elements may be of heavy-duty construction. By mounting theindexing cylinder on the chuck body, I have, by means of a simple andeffective fluid inlet arrangement for the cylinder, climi-- natedmechanisms which formerly must extend through the chuck body and havealso eliminated the usual collars and forks or the like which must bedisposed behind the chuck. This is another advantage in that in smallermachine toc-ls capable of using smaller size chucks, there may not beadequate space behind the chuck body for the indexing actuatingmechanism. This construction has the added advantage that even in asmaller diameter chuck, adequate room is avail able for the provision ofan exceptionally sturdy jaw opening and closing arrangement.

The manner in which these and other objects and advantages may beobtained will be apparent from the following detailed description of apreferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan or face view of the chuck;

Fig. 2 is a section on 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 isasection on 3 3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a section like Fig. 3 with-the indexing parts in theirretracted position. l

Referring to the drawings,the chuck body i0 is formed with suitablemeans for attachment to the spindle of a lathe or other machine tool,details of the attachment forming no part of the invention and dependingupon the nature of the machine tool itself. Extending axially forwardlyfrom the face of the chuck is a pair of brackets Il which mount theradial work-holding members i2. These members may be provided with theusual independently attachable jaws (not shown) arranged for grippingthe piece to be worked Aupon in the machine. Members I2 have Shanks i3which rotatably mount them in hollow plungers le slidable in diametricapertures l5 and in the brackets. Anti-friction bearings I 'l may beemployed for mounting the indexing members but plain bearings will alsobe suitable in some instances.

The plungers it are reciprocated under control ot the operator by meansof lever i8, forked at one end to engage pins i9 extending across slots2i on the plungers. The levers are pivoted to the body as at 22 and liewithin slots 23 in the body. The levers have adjustable contact bolts 2Aengageable with plungers 2t disposed in bores 2l in the body. Theplungers are expelled for gripping the work piece by the retraction ofoonioal cam 23 disposed in bore 29, the cam engag ing the inner end ofthe plunger bolts. Continuation 3| of the cam extends through themachine spindle and may be actuated by any suitable means known in theart to open and close the jaws.

The indexing mechanism may be employed in connection with either of theindexing wheelznemoers i2. It comprises a lever di) pivotally mounted toone side of the indexing wheel by means oi a post 4i and a pivot 42. Topermit precise adjustment of the parts an adjustable eccentric bushingit may be held by a set screw Mi in the end of the lever. The lever isurged away from the indexing wheel l2 by means of a spring it engagingthe lever and backed up by a lug #il carried by the associated bracketH. The lever it is slotted as at @E to receive a pawl 4Q urged toward alimit pin 5o by means of a spring El.

The indexing wheel has flat surfaces 52, there being a notch 53 at eachcorner thereof for interaction with the pawl. The lever D has a surface5t and a shoulder 55 for engaging two sides of the indexing wheel toprevent its rotation when the parts are in their work position. The endof the lever opposite the pivot is. provided with an adjustable abutmentscrew 6i which engages a surface $3 on a cam 53 pivotally mounted as atfill on the body. The cam acts as part of the actuating means for thelever and is slotted as at 66 for the reception of a pin 6'! mounted atpiston rod 53 connected to a double-acting piston 69. The actuatingcylinder is mounted in a recess in the periphery of the chuck body. Itincludes a tube ll and a bottom wall 12, the tube being attached to acover plate 'i3 fastened to the body by means of fasteners 1t.

In order to admit air or other fluid under pressure to the oppositesides of the piston, the chuck is formed with a pair of annular groovesin which rest annular sealing members 3l of U-shaped cross-section. Thesealing members may be of felt, leather, rubber, or the like and areapertured as at t2 to establish communication with annular grooves 83and ail in the chuck body. The grooves communicate with opposite ends ofthe cylinder by means of passageways 86 and 8l respectively drilled inthe chuck body and closed by the cover 'E3 at one end. The body iscrossdrilled as at 86a and 35h to complete the communication between theannular grooves and the actuating cylinder.

The fluid admission system is completed by the annular members 90 and 9|which make sealing engagement within the seals 8 l. These members arestationary and are connected to separately controlled sources of fluidunder pressure by means of suitable connections to inlet ports 92 and93. The inlet ports are connected to a two-way valve of any suitabledesign so that within control of the operator, fluid, such as air, underpressure may be admitted to one or the other of the parts 92 or 93 toadvance or retract the piston GS and index the chuck.

The operation of the indexing mechanism just described is as follows:Assume that the parts are Vdisposed as shown in Fig. 3, which is thework Y piston rod and pivots the cam 63 so that cam 1 surface E2 slidesfrom under the bolt 6I on the lever. Spring it now moves the lever awayfrom the indexing wheel as pawl 49 slides across the face of the indexwheel. In its retracted position the indexing mechanism is arranged sothat the pawl catches in the notch 53V at the corner of the face 52formerlyengaged by the lever.

The air connections may now be again reversed to complete the indexingoperation. When this occurs the piston rod is extended from the cylinderand the surface E of cam 63 rides against the nose of the lever itforcing it toward the indexing wheel. Pawl 139 now turns the indexingwheel which continues to be turned by the pawl until the edge Sli of thelever engages the wheel. The wheel will now have been turned aroundtoward its next indexed position far enough so that pressure of leverdi! against the wheel will. complete rotation cf the wheel independentlyof the pawl, and upon the completion of the piston stroke the parts areagain in the position shown in Fig. 3. It will be noted that theindexing stroke occurs when the piston moves away from the closed end ofthe cylinder, which stroke is more powerful than the retract stroke dueto 4 reduction of the eiectlve retract piston area by the piston rod.Thus maximum force is available to index and to hold the index wheel inits work position. The eccentric 43 may be adjusted so that a goodcontact is had between the lever and the indexing wheel.

It can be seen that the arrangement whereby the lever is pivoted at oneend to one side of the indexing wheel and is actuated at the other endand extends between the Wheel and the body is one wherein a minimum ofspace and maximum of rigidity are obtained. By mounting the actuatingcylinder to one side of the chuck ample room is provided for the centraljaw operating mechanism. No rods or other devices need extend throughthe chuck to be operated by collars or the like between the chuck andthe head stock or other support for the spindle. The means for admittingiluid under pressure to the cylinder is simple and dependable, may bereadily mounted in the chuck body and does not protrude from the body.

Having completed a detailed description of my invention, it will beapparent that various modinoations thereof may be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, workgripping means rotatably mounted on said body,indexing mechanism for said work-gripping means, and actuating means forsaid indexing mechanism, said actuating means comprising a cylinderrotatable with said body, a piston in said cylinder, means connectingsaid piston with said indexing mechanism, a stationary fluid inletannulus making sealing engagement with said body, and iluid passagewaymeans in said body between said annulus and cylinder.

2. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, workgripping means rotatably mounted on said body,indexing mechanism for said work-gripping means, and actuating means forsaid indexing mechanism, said actuating means comprising a cylinderrotatable with said body, a piston in said cylinder, said cylinder andpiston being double-acting, means connecting said piston with a pair ofannular grooves in said body, annular seals in said grooves, saidindexing mechanism, a stationary fluid inlet annulus in each groovemaking sealing engagement with the associated seal, and duid passagewaymeans in said body between each annulus and one end of the cylinder.

3. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, a work-gripping means rotatably-mounted on said body,indexing mechanism for said work-gripping means, and actuating means forsaid indexing mechanism, said actuating means comprising a cylinderrotatable with said body, the axis of said cylinder being generallyparallel to and spaced from the chuck axis of rotation, a piston in saidcylinder, means connecting said piston with said indexing mechanism, astationary fluid inlet annulus making sealing engagement with said body,and fluid passageway means in said body between said annulus andcylinder.

4. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, work-gripping means rotatably mounted on said body,indexing mechanism for said work-gripping means, and actuating means forsaid indexing mechanism,

said actuating means comprising a cylinder rotatable with said body, apiston in said cylinder, said cylinder and piston having their axesparallel to that of the chuck and spaced therefrom, said piston beingdouble-acting, means connecting said piston with a pair of annulargrooves in said body, annular seals in said grooves, said indexingmechanism, a stationary fluid inlet annulus in each groove makingsealing engagement with the associated seal, and fluid passageway meansin said body between each annulus and one end of the cylinder.

5. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, work-gripping means rotatably mounted on said body,indexing mechanism for said work-gripping means, said indexing mechanismcomprising an indexing wheel for one of said work-gripping means, saidindexing wheel having a plurality of ilat faces with a notch at eachface thereof, a lever pivoted to said body to one side of said indexingwheel and extending across the face thereof a ipawl on said lever forengaging one of said notches, and actuating means for said indexingmechanism, said actuating means comprising a cylinder rotatable withsaid body, a piston in said cylinder, means connecting said piston withsaid lever on the other side of said indexing wheel from said leverpivot, a stationary7 fluid inlet annulus making sealing engagement withsaid body, and fluid passageway means in said body between said annulusand cylinder.

6. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, a workgripping means rotatably mounted on said body,indexing mechanism fer said work-gripping means, said indexing mechanismcomprising an indexing wheel for one of said work-gripping means, saidindexing wheel. having a plurality of fiat faces with a notch at eachface thereof, a lever pivoted to said body to one side of said indexingwheel and extending across the face thereof a pawl on said lever forengaging one of said notches, actuating means for said indexingmechanism, said actuating means comprising a cylinder rotatable withsaid body, the axis of said cylinder being generally parallel to andspaced from the chuck axis of rotation, a piston in said cylinder, meansconnecting said piston withsaid lever on the opposite side of saidindexing wheel from said lever pivot, a stationary fluid inlet annulusmaking sealing engagement with said body, and fluid passageway means insaid body between said annulus and cylinder.

7. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, a pair of opposed brackets extending axially forwardfrom the face of said body, work-gripping means rotatably mounted ineach bracket, indexing mechanism for said work-gripping means comprisingan indexing wheel for one of said work-gripping means, a lever havingone end pivoted to said body to one side of said indexing wheel, saidlever extending across the face of said wheel between the wheel and thebody, a pawl on said lever for engaging said wheel, and actuating meansconnected to the other end of said lever at the other side of said wheelfor moving said lever toward and away from said indexing wheel.

8. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, work-gripping means rotatably mounted on said body,indexing mechanism for said work-gripping means, and actuating means forsaid indexing mechanism, said actuating means comprising a cylindermounted eccentrically on and rotatable with said body, apiston in saidcylinder, means connecting said piston with said indexing mechanism, anduid passageway means in said body leading to said cylinder.

9. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, work-gripping means rotatably mounted on said body,indexing mechanism for said work-gripping means, and actuating means forsaid indexing mechanism, said actuating means comprising a double-actingcylinder mounted on and rotatable with said body, said cylinder havingone closed end and one end with a central bore, a piston in saidcylinder, a piston rod extending through said cylinder bore, meansconnecting said piston rod with said indexing mechanism, the motion ofsaid piston away from said closed cylinder end being the indexingstroke, and fluid passageway means in said body leading to saidcylinder.

10. In an indexing chuck, a chuck body arranged for mounting on arotating spindle, workgripping jaws rotatably mounted on said body,axially recipr-ocable means for opening and closing said jaws, indexingmechanism for said work-gripping jaws, and actuating means for saidindexing mechanism, said actuating means comprising motor means mountedon said body to one side of the center of rotation thereof, said motormeans rotating with said b-ody, means connecting said motor means withsaid indexing mechanism, and a rotary slip joint on said body connectedto said motor means and adapted to connect to a mating stationary jointpart to provide power for said motor means.

FRED HUNZIKER.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record. in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,801,602 Hunziker Apr. 21, 19312,349,119 Soule May 16, 1944 2,362,072 Hunziker Nov. 7, 1944 2,362,146Mariotte Nov. 7, 1944 2,469,198 La Pointed .May 3, 1949 2,477,773Soussloif et al. Aug. 2, 1949 2,480,715 De Groff Aug. 30, 1949 2,502,260Hunziker Mar. 28, 1950

